Northern & Central Midwest

September, 2006
Regional Report

Web Finds

Ohio State University Virtual GardenOhio State University's WebGarden site is not only a bank of knowledge, it's also is an interactive learning center on the care and cultivation of plants. You can find images of plants and pests, how-to garden videos, FAQs, and perhaps the best part -- an internet search engine related directly to plants. This search engine encompasses guides for answering plant-related questions from 46 different universities and government institutions across the United States and Canada, as well as more than 59,000 pages of Extension fact sheets and bulletins.

Favorite or New Plant

Russian Arborvitae
I recently installed some Russian arborvitae (Microbiota decussata), also called Siberian cypress, in my landscape in a spot with dry shade. They form a low mound about 1 foot high and spreading to 6 feet or more. They have awl or scale-shaped feathery leaves that are olive to gray-green in summer and reddish bronze in winter. Perfectly hardy in zones 3 to 7, they are wonderful plants in their own right, but also make very good substitutes for the prostrate junipers, which will not grow well in shade. Siberian cypress grows quite well in full sun to a half day of shade and in a wide range of soils.